Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that given increasing worry over the virus, it will double the stockpile of the anti-bird flu drug Tamiflu to 2.5 million doses by year’s end from 1.24 million.

The increased stockpile will be enough to cover five percent of the population, as urged by experts.

A new bird flu monitoring system has connected 60 general hospitals, 600 children’s hospitals and public health centers.

Moreover, the disease control watchdog is considering securing four million doses of pandemic vaccines by year’s end in the event of a global outbreak of an avian influenza virus. Experts warn that bird flu is likely to become the first pandemic of the 21st century.

Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Jeong Hak-soo is also investigating if 400 chickens that were reported dead Sunday in South Jeolla Province were infected with bird flu. The ministry found 28 infection cases as of Sunday.

The Korea Poultry Industry Development Association will reinforce its public relations efforts on bird flu, including holding a seminar to reassess avian influenza in major cities from Tuesday through late July.